Universal joint.



D. FETZER. UNIVERSAL JOINT. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 13, 1913.

1,128,430. Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

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Application filedilflo ie nheriw; 1818. Serial No. 800,814.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal J oints;. and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in 'theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to joints," and more particularly-to combined universal and slide oints.

One object ofthe invention is to provide a joint wherein the parts are so constructed and arranged as 'to-greatly increase the area of bearing surface, thus insuring against quick wearing of the parts and the consequent lost motion between them.

Another. object. of this invention is the construction of means within the joint for preventing the lateral movements of the sliding parts therein for avoiding the consequent danger of the parts becoming locked together, as well as to provide'for the positive and more eflicient connections between the same for facilitating the rotation o certain of-the parts by the.others.

,Inthe accompanying drawing; wherein is shown an approved and practical embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the complete jo nt, Fig. 2 represents a'similar view partly 1n section, Fig". 3 represents a sectional view on the hue 33 of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 represents a erspective view of the head 'andshank of t e joint,

12. At each of the corners o the opening 12 and extending longitudinally thereat are formed the retaining and spacing r1bs 12'. The inner surfaces of the walls of the open.- ing 12 and the surfaces of the r1bs 12' are ground and finished to provide smooth bearing surfaces for the slidable parts of the DAVID o nt hereinafter described. A shank 13 is suitab fixed on thejend of a second shaft 14;, which is to be rotatably connected with the shaft 10, and carries at its free end a rectangular head 15. As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the four bearing faces 16 of the head are rounded and positioned within the opening 12 of the box.

A plurality of bearing blocks 17 are positioned within the opening 12 between the four walls of the latter andthe four faces 16 of the head. a The back or outer face.18 of each block 17 is plane and inzslidable contact with one wall of the opening12 between the spacing ribs 12' at eacheside thereof,

the edges of the blocks '17 being in slidable contact with the sidewalls of the. ribs 12, and the inner faces of said blocksfare formed with diametrical channels 19, shaped in. conformity'. and slidably contacting with the rounded faces 16 of the head 15. The wall of the channel 19 of each block adjacent the shank 13 is cut away at 20 so as not to obstruct the movement of said shank. As

stated, a bearing block 17 is disposed between each bearing face 16 of the head and each Wall of the rectangular opening 12 between the spacing ribs 12' and substantially may be moved longitudinally within the box 11, but owing to the construction and arrangement of these parts they are prevented from relative independent rotation. The formation of the retaining and spacing ribs 12' at each of the corners of the rectangular opening 12 provides for the longitudinal movement of the bearing blocks 17, but prevents any lateral movement of the same,

and by thus retaining the contiguous edges of the blocks in spaced relation, the dangerous results from-the cramping and locking of the edges of the blocks at the corners of the openings is obviated. The further purposes of the ribs 12' is to provide bearing surfaces for the edges of the bearing blocks 17 for the more positive and efficient rota' tion of the joint.

In the modification illustrated in F121: 8, the box is formed in two parts consisting essentially of a sleeve member 21 having a Patented Feb. is, 1915.

' modification of the invention a spring 27 is preferably provided and positioned between the inner end of the openinglZ and the head 7 15 as clearly shown in Fig. 8.-

What I claim as new is:

1. A' universal joint comprising'a box having a rectangular opening therein, a shank, a head on said shank positioned within said opening, a plurality ofcircular hearing blocks disposed between said head and the walls of said opening, and ribs within said box for retaining the edges of said blocks in spaced relation upon the walls of said opening for preventing contact of the edges of said blocks with each other.

2. A universal joint comprising a, box having a rectangular opening therein, a shank, a head on said shank positioned Within said opening, a plurality of circular bearing blocks disposed between said head and the walls of said opening, and spacing ribs formed at the corners of said rectangular opening for retaining the edges of said blocks in spaced relation, and also providing bearing surfaces for the edges of said blocks 3. A universal oint comprising a box having a rectangular opening therein, a shank, a head on said shank positioned within said opening, said head having rounded sides, a

plurality of circular bearing blocks disposed betweensaid head'and the walls of said opening and each block having its respective surfaces shaped in conformity with said head and said walls, and longitudinally extending ribs formed at the corners of said rectangular opening for retaining said blocks in spaced'relation for preventing the interlocking of said blocks, andealso providing hearing surfaces for said blocks for the more eflicient rotation of the joint.

4:. A universal joint comprising a shaftin a boxing mountedupon said shafting closed end of the boxing and the head ofhav'ng a rectangular bore therein with spac ing ribs in the corners of the walls thereof, a second shafting, a shanksleeved upon said second shafting having a plurality of cir cular-like bearing faces and with a recess in the head thereof,v a plurality of bearing blocks, each slidably mounted between one of the bearing faces and one of the walls of said boxing, the adjacent edges. of said blocks abutting the said spacing ribs, and resilient means mounted between the inthe shank, one end of said resilient means being seated in said recess in said shank adapted to compensate for end thrust.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GRACE Fn'rznn, HOWARD Farm. 

